Project Cornerstone's mission is to educate the public about the importance of local construction aggregates (i.e., sand, gravel and crushed stone) through hands-on learning in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Construction aggregates are used to build roads, houses, schools and all other infrastructure; they are the cornerstone of our communities.

SAN DIEGO, CA – At a meeting on March 25, 2014, a group of local San Diego construction aggregate producers decided to form Project Cornerstone, Inc. The organization is intended to be a grassroots effort dedicated to educating the public about the importance of local construction aggregates (i.e., sand, gravel and crushed stone).

“The construction aggregate providers of San Diego are happy to announce the formation of Project Cornerstone, a grass roots effort focused on educating the public on the importance of having a sustainable local supply of these resources,” said Crystal Howard, Executive Director for Project Cornerstone. “Construction aggregates are the cornerstone of our communities and we are excited to provide a program that will illustrate how these materials are used in our everyday lives."

Local aggregate production sites are dwindling. As the supply of permitted aggregates declines in San Diego, imports from locations outside of the County are increasing. The result is higher material costs and increased truck traffic.

Aggregate is the essential raw material in all public works projects, including mass transit, renewable energy, schools, flood control channels, roads, hospitals and all other infrastructure vital to communities. Project Cornerstone promotes the use of local aggregate supplies, which results in lower costs and a decrease in truck traffic.

Because construction aggregates are essential to building and maintaining communities, Project Cornerstone strives to:

inform the public that using locally sourced minerals have environmental and economic benefits;

demonstrate how construction aggregate is produced and where it is used in our everyday lives;

promote the use of local resources to satisfy projected demand; and

endorse the conservation of classified and designated mineral resources for future development.

“The local construction aggregate producers have established Project Cornerstone to enhance the public’s understanding of the importance of producing construction material from local sources,” said Jon Cloud, Hester’s Granite Company. “It is important that we all understand that construction aggregate is the cornerstone of our communities. Every civilized society has at least five things: 1) schools, 2) hospitals, 3) public facilities (including water and sewer systems), 4) transportation systems and 5) the construction materials to build the first four. To maintain the quality of life for our County, we need to ensure we have a sustainable supply of construction aggregate materials.”

Project Cornerstone strives to reach the public by providing compelling educational materials, offering classroom activities and school field trips to local mining sites, as well as conducting presentations for local groups and organizations. The goal is to provide the public with accurate information so they can understand the importance of producing aggregate from local sources and, as a result, foster support for the local mining industry.

About Project CornerstoneFounded in 2014 by members of the construction aggregates industry, Project Cornerstone is a grassroots organization whose mission is to educate local community members, public agencies and policy makers that mineral resources are the cornerstone of our communities. The organization offers field trips to local mining operations, in-class activities for San Diego County students, and group presentation for planning agencies, service clubs and policy makers.

News

Welcome to Project Cornerstone News!

We are Project Cornerstone, a nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about the importance of local construction aggregates (i.e., sand, gravel and crushed stone) through hands-on learning in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

If your child has or will participate in a Project Cornerstone activity and their school/program does not already have a media release form in place, please download, complete and return a Project Cornerstone Media Release Form.

Project Cornerstone, Inc.

Project Cornerstone's mission is to educate the public about the importance of local construction aggregates (i.e., sand, gravel and crushed stone) through hands-on learning in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Construction aggregates are used to build roads, houses, schools and all other infrastructure; they are the cornerstone of our communities.